Geese

[johnr]

Migratory birds are a federal issue. I would think they set the dates.

Government that is federal is not neat

 

[ifish4iz]

For those that are too young or weren't hunting waterfowl, the opener 25-30 years ago was just as big as pheasant opener and nearly as big as deer opener. It was a big deal, essentially a nodak holiday. Small towns were bustling, firing lines around the big refuges were filled with pass shooters hoping for a chance at lessers or white geese. Yes, there were actually birds around at that time. If one was real fortunate and owned field decoys (2 dozen was the norm and 5 dozen meant you were rich), the birds committed without reservation. A "giant" sighting, as all Canada's that weren't lessers were referred to was a big deal. If one shot one, you were going on the front page of the local newspaper. All of the birds were gone by thanksgiving and seasons were set accordingly.
Times have obviously changed drastically. More hunters, more birds, climate change, more row crops, etc have changed the game. I appreciate that the game and fish have made changes as well and hope they continue to listen to our concerns and continue to be flexible in dealing with waterfowling in ND.

 

[Trip McNeely]

I got to thinking while I worked and another major thing popped into my head. if the season is made longer even by a week or two it could have the potential to let guides in the door for late season. a couple more weeks of revenue may make leases more plausible. if that would happen making a longer season may have unintented consequences that wouldnt be better for more opportunity at all.

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Anybody know if the Feds control the Sept. 1 date? In other words is it even worth trying to get NDGF to consider an earlier season or are their hands tied?

as far as i know the feds set the number if days allowed and what days the season may fall between. its then up to each state to set the day which best suites that state as long as it falls in the feds parameters. thats for waterfowl so id assume doves would be the same. at some point the gnf will have to make the choice to change things. my only hope is they dont try something too drastic and muck up something that imho only needs to be shifted back a week or two.